Launcher
4+

Screenshots

Description

You can simply start typing the application name in the search string and you’ll immediately get the list of apps displayed in alphabetical order.

You can use abbreviations, for example, “qtp” for QuickTime Player, “ab” for the Address Book, “rml” for Remind Me Later.

Finally you can manually assign a handy command to specific app to launch it.

*** File Browser with QuickLook option ***

The built-in File Browser provides a fast and easy way to navigate through your folders and files.

Start query with / or ~ to browse your Mac, and pick files/folders to open, preview in QuickLook, and reveal in Finder.

*** Web Searches ***

Simply send queries to search engines right from the Launcher. All you need is to choose your favourite among the dozens of search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, eBay, Youtube, and Wikipedia and assign them to short or even one-letter commands, for example, "g" - for Google, "e" - for eBay, "w" - for Wikipedia.

The next time you need information enter the command and the search query with a space and Launcher will open your default browser with search results. For example, “e apples” will lead you to an eBay page with the results for “apples”.

*** Commands ***

Launcher will help you to simplify most common everyday actions like Mute, Play/Pause, Restart, Shutdown and others.

*** Dictionary ***

Launcher can be used as a superfast dictionary.

Look up word definitions, choose most suitable meanings and copy them for further use right from the app.

*** Fast Access to Files, Folders & URLs ***

Launcher is a flexible replacement for aliases. You can open certain files and folders with simple commands or abbreviations.

URLs can be opened the same way to make your favorite websites easier to reach.

*** Scripts ***

You can execute shell commands without the Terminal.app.

Just assign a shell command, for example, “/usr/bin/say $” to a word of command like “say”. After that Launcher will pronounce anything you enter in query after alias “say”.

*** Advanced Calculator ***

Launcher contains a built-in multi-precision calculator that allows you to perform simple and complex calculations.

Enter any expression, e.g., “1/4+1/2”, or “pi”, or “sqr4761” to see the result and copy it for further use in other documents and calculations.

*** Actions for search results ***

After the search is completed, Launcher will offer you some actions to perform:- Open;- Reveal in Finder;- QuickLook;- Copy Path.

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

Jan 10, 2011

Dec 11, 2015

Version 2.0.1

- Startup issues fix- Calculator fixes

Ratings and Reviews

Channing Hinton
,12/05/2011

Definitely the right direction

I currently use Google Quick Search box and naturally I'd compare this application's power to something as robust as QSB. Besides the lack Command+Command or Option+Option startup I'm used to in apps like TotalFinder and QSB, and besides the clunky and abrupt look of the app (dark with no smooth fade-ins or slide animations, kinda distracts the workflow), the app's real handicap is its inability to delve into your applications functions and actively search your file structure. QSB surprises me many times by continually pulling in apps, folders, functions and even search suggestions that I may have been looking for and hoped I would find, but really doubted my program was able to find. QSB surprises me every time. For example, typing "file" searches the file menu of the active application to pull in searched functions. I use photoshop a lot so QSB remembers where my 'presets' folder is located. Launcher is definitely headed in the right direction, but it has a lot of catching up to do if its to compare with apps like Alfred, QSB (Quicksilver actually), and Launchy.

Channing Hinton
,12/05/2011

Definitely the right direction

I currently use Google Quick Search box and naturally I'd compare this application's power to something as robust as QSB. Besides the lack Command+Command or Option+Option startup I'm used to in apps like TotalFinder and QSB, and besides the clunky and abrupt look of the app (dark with no smooth fade-ins or slide animations, kinda distracts the workflow), the app's real handicap is its inability to delve into your applications functions and actively search your file structure. QSB surprises me many times by continually pulling in apps, folders, functions and even search suggestions that I may have been looking for and hoped I would find, but really doubted my program was able to find. QSB surprises me every time. For example, typing "file" searches the file menu of the active application to pull in searched functions. I use photoshop a lot so QSB remembers where my 'presets' folder is located. Launcher is definitely headed in the right direction, but it has a lot of catching up to do if its to compare with apps like Alfred, QSB (Quicksilver actually), and Launchy.

Bob 868
,05/02/2014

It's good, but with a fatal flaw (should be easy to correct, but no updates in a LONG time)

Very useful app, but... it has an option to load at system startup which it NEVER does. You check the option, and next time you start your Mac, it does NOT start, and the option is unchecked. I did this countless times... it fails every time.

So when I would really need a shortcut, I find that it doesn't work because Launcher is not running... so I have to start Launcher first, then close the shortcuts window (which comes up with NO REASON every time I start the app) and this altogether takes more work and time than if I just did it without Launcher. This alone makes it not really useful.

Bob 868
,05/02/2014

It's good, but with a fatal flaw (should be easy to correct, but no updates in a LONG time)

Very useful app, but... it has an option to load at system startup which it NEVER does. You check the option, and next time you start your Mac, it does NOT start, and the option is unchecked. I did this countless times... it fails every time.

So when I would really need a shortcut, I find that it doesn't work because Launcher is not running... so I have to start Launcher first, then close the shortcuts window (which comes up with NO REASON every time I start the app) and this altogether takes more work and time than if I just did it without Launcher. This alone makes it not really useful.

hazardouschurch
,01/20/2011

best mac app i have found so far

I am a college student majoring in computer engineering and this app is brilliant i bought it and 3 minutes and i already know its gonna be the next big thing. Brilliantly simple to use and a very sexy UI. The one thing made 100% easier the abillity to make commands. For web searches it makes use of the default browser. my one bit is that i wish it would stay open after a command so that i can enter multiple commands without clicking on icon and abillity to open mulitple apps at once

hazardouschurch
,01/20/2011

best mac app i have found so far

I am a college student majoring in computer engineering and this app is brilliant i bought it and 3 minutes and i already know its gonna be the next big thing. Brilliantly simple to use and a very sexy UI. The one thing made 100% easier the abillity to make commands. For web searches it makes use of the default browser. my one bit is that i wish it would stay open after a command so that i can enter multiple commands without clicking on icon and abillity to open mulitple apps at once